The digital age was meant to put an end to paper, but a new Ikea  boutique shows that we can’t get enough of it, writes Kate Burt

From Mexican chimineas to outdoor fireplaces, we look at ways of keeping warm and toasty on cool summer evenings

This week’s New Designers exhibition offers visitors the chance to buy  a future design classic. Trish Lorenz tracks down the names to watch

When it’s time to hit the beach, a good pair of trunks is the last line of defence your modesty has, so it’s worth doing your homework, says Lee Holmes

Storage is coming out of the shadows with a blaze of bright boxes and chic cupboards, says Trish Lorenz

‘The most common decorating mistake is trying hard to make everything match,’ says design entrepreneur Fernanda Semler who opened the luxury hotel Botanique near Sao Paolo in Brazil last Autumn. She tells Annie Deakin about taking design risks, interior trends and what is post-luxury.

New flats are smaller than ever and space in cities at a premium, as Chris Beanland discovers.

Don’t tell granny but lace is for more than doilies and curtains. Try it on lamps, linens and even ceramics, says Trish Lorenz

Bagging yourself a sofa, table, storage unit, rug, chair and cushion for £12 might sound like a steal even by Ikea’s standards, but there is a catch: you’d have to share measurements with the Lilliputians if you wanted to kick back and relax on this particular living room furniture.

It's time to reappraise the artist's work in the context of his home, says Charles Darwent.

London-based Irish designer Orla Kiely began her career in fashion, but has since become a legend within the interior circle. Her quirky and recognisable prints have featured on various objects from kitchenware and lamps to cars and wallpaper. Her pop-up shops at John Lewis are open until 16 June.

Since co-founding the travel website Mr & Mrs Smith (with his wife Tam), James Lohan has become a connoisseur in interior design. Last month, the father-of-two launched Smithandfamily.co.uk, a collection of parent-approved hotels for families who want style – and happy children. He talks to Annie Deakin about unusual interiors and common decorating mistakes.

Ahern repainted her house in dark, inky tones for an Elle Decoration photoshoot and has never looked back...

Inchbald-trained Bee Osborn is an interior designer who lives in London with her three daughters and art dealer husband. She is currently working on the refurbishment of the iconic Hotel St Barth Isle de France, which is part of the Oetker Collection. Osborn talks to Annie Deakin about lighting, Kit Kemp and design tricks.

1. Mushroom Crochet Pouf